There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: Everything We Know

There Are No Ghosts at the Grand was officially revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, and it instantly turned heads. Developed by the indie team at Friday Sundae, the game blends supernatural mystery, chaotic renovation gameplay, and musical storytelling — all wrapped in a stylish, first-person experience. At first glance, it might remind you of Luigi’s Mansion for its ghost-busting charm, or House Flipper for the fix-it-up mechanics. But then it throws in musical gameplay, power tools, and a mysterious talking cat that follows you around. Yeah, it’s that kind of weird, and gamers are here for it.

We’re breaking down everything that’s been officially revealed so far. From how the gameplay works and what kind of story it’s telling, to who’s developing it and where you’ll be able to play, every corner of The Grand holds something worth talking about. Expect ghosts, tools, music, secrets — and maybe a little chaos along the way. Here’s everything we know about There Are No Ghosts at the Grand.

What is There Are No Ghosts at the Grand?

There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is a narrative-first, first-person mystery with a twist. The developers call it “part-renovation game, part-ghost story, part-musical.” That’s accurate, but it doesn’t fully capture how unusual the mix feels in gameplay terms. You clean and fix rooms with comically powerful tools during the day, then deal with creepy supernatural threats at night. It’s not a full-on horror game, nor is it a basic builder. It sits somewhere between light exploration, character-driven storytelling, and playful haunted house vibes.

From a gameplay point of view, it feels closer to something like Luigi’s Mansion mixed with light elements of House Flipper. There’s fast, satisfying renovation during the day, and light supernatural action at night. You’re not fighting in the traditional sense — your tools do the job, but they also uncover secrets and solve puzzles. Add to that a musical layer, where characters sing to reveal their stories, and you’ve got something that leans more toward creative, story-driven design than hardcore mechanics.

Story

The story in There Are No Ghosts at the Grand starts simple: a young man inherits a crumbling hotel. But the way it unfolds is anything but ordinary. You play as Chris David, an American who finds himself in charge of a forgotten British seaside hotel called The Grand. The developers describe the game as “a narrative-driven mystery.” And that’s a good way to put it. It blends the structure of a walking sim with the tone of a ghost story. There are clear objectives – restore rooms, uncover secrets, but also a deeper focus on atmosphere and discovery.

What makes the story more interesting is how it uses time. You have just 30 days and nights to get the hotel back in shape. During the day, things are quiet. At night, strange things start to happen. The hotel hides more than dust and peeling paint. You’ll find clues, old blueprints, and signs that someone, or something, is watching. The devs also said the game is “about people and the baggage they leave behind,” and that fits. Each character you meet adds another piece to the mystery. It’s the kind of narrative design that reminds you of Gone Home or Firewatch, but with more interactivity and layers.

Gameplay

There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is described as “a surreal first-person mystery where you renovate a haunted hotel by day and hunt ghosts by night.” That means you’ll spend your time switching between two distinct phases — one focused on light, fast-paced renovation, and the other on spooky, puzzle-driven exploration. The day sections lean more toward humor and creativity, while the nights introduce tension and supernatural elements. It’s not a survival horror game, but it does use atmosphere and mystery to keep things interesting.

During the day, you’ll repair, paint, clean, and decorate different rooms using a set of quirky, talking power tools. These include a sand blaster, paint sprayer, and even a cannon that launches furniture. You won’t be asked to measure wallpaper or match tiles perfectly — it’s designed to be quick and fun, not a realistic sim. Each completed room moves the story forward, often revealing clues or unlocking new characters. Some spaces include small puzzles, so it’s not just about speed but also paying attention to details hidden in the environment.

At night, everything shifts. The same tools you used to decorate become weapons against supernatural threats. Ghosts might leave invisible trails on walls or move furniture when your back is turned. The paint sprayer now helps you reveal what can’t be seen, while other tools are used to defend yourself or uncover hidden passageways. You’ll be searching for answers, interacting with strange characters, and piecing together the story behind the hotel. And beyond the hotel, players can explore a nearby seaside town. You’re free to wander outside and complete side quests.

Development

There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is being developed by an indie studio called Friday Sundae. The game was officially announced in June 2025 during the Xbox Games Showcase – a prime stage that instantly put this quirky title on many players’ radar. Following the reveal, the developers shared more details on Xbox’s official blog, outlining their vision. Friday Sundae is aiming to create a game that’s familiar in some ways (first-person mystery, spooky old house, etc.) but completely offbeat in execution.

Trailer

In the newly released trailer for There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, we get a fun and surreal look at what’s coming. It starts with the protagonist inheriting a rundown, possibly haunted hotel from his father. We see glimpses of the eccentric townsfolk, the talking power tools, and the hotel’s strange vibe — all wrapped in a mix of humor and mystery.

As the trailer progresses, the atmosphere shifts into a more mysterious tone, showcasing ghost-hunting and puzzle-solving elements that hint at the deeper lore of the game. With vibrant visuals and a unique musical flair, the trailer promises an adventure that’s both whimsical and intriguing.

Release Date and Platforms

There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is set to launch in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, and will be available day one on Game Pass. The devs haven’t given a release date yet, and while it’s only been shown for Xbox and PC so far, they haven’t called it an Xbox exclusive either. That could mean a PlayStation 5 version might show up down the line, just not confirmed yet.